Just a heads up that this article has nothing to do with the
service this coming weekend but, then again, maybe it does. A couple weeks ago,
Natalie and I became first time grandparents and our lives have been forever
changed. I saw my son come into this world almost thirty years ago and my heart
exploded the first time I held him. Then came that moment when he looked into
my eyes and I cried. My son! He will always be my son and never will there be a
moment when I don’t love him completely. Then came my daughter-in-law and we
could see the love she had for Austin. It was a deep, committed love and we
fell in love with her almost immediately. Now jump to two weeks ago. Leo came
into this world and we were eagerly anticipating our first glimpse of him and
then came the first of many pictures and videos. The first picture took me back
to the day Austin was born and the rush of emotions took over once again and,
yes, I cried. How can we fall so completely in love with someone without
meeting them in person? I must say, however, this type of love is a forever
love and I dare say that these types of relationships, the deep and impactful
relationships, hurt so much. Let me explain this before people start to get too
out of sorts.
We watch this world tumble about with an air of superficial
fluidity. Consider the temporariness of our society. Dedication to a job is as
permanent as the next grand offer, brand loyalty is such a thing of the past
that big companies don’t worry about how long you have been with them but
rather look for ways to compete with the others rather than build relationship
and build a strong foundation of support. There are no deep roots, no depth of
commitment. Upset someone and watch how quickly they unfriend you. There is little
in the way of effort to maintain strong relationships. I know there are going
to be those out there who will remind me that I got divorced but my reply is
this; I was stupid and lazy in my past and now can speak to this with knowledge
and wisdom. So, here are some words of wisdom. Deep, committed love hurts a
ton. When I saw my son for the first time, it felt like a dagger went deep into
my heart but it was not a dagger but rather a connection that anchored there
for all time. It has happened again since but most recently was when I got to
see my grandson for the first time. Then I saw “the look”. My son and
daughter-in-law beaming as they looked at their bundle of joy sleeping quietly
in their arms. So where does the hurt come in? I would rather loose my own life
than see anything happen to my family. This is a love where we put our own
needs on the backburner in favour of another. I would rather lose an argument
than risk breaking a relationship, would rather take the pain upon myself than
watch them suffer. To love so much that our heart breaks when others cry is so
hard to take but the reward of the relationship, that deep relationship, is the
reward. Jesus loves us that deeply, in fact it is even deeper than that. I say
I would die for my child, for my wife, for my grandchild; He did!
This weekend we continue with the study of the seven
churches in the Book of Revelation with the church of Sardis. We invite you to
join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us
live:
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA
See you all Sunday.
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